In the age of Donald Trump, young people across the city and country are voting, marching and getting involved in politics

For Breeana Mulligan, communications director of the Queens County Young Democrats, now is the perfect time for young people to join their local political clubs.

Mulligan first got into politics when she volunteered for Councilman Paul Vallone’s 2009 campaign. Though he lost that race, Mulligan remained involved. After Vallone was elected to the City Council in 2013, she joined his staff.

The Queens resident later worked for Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito until the end of her term. Now, Mulligan is on the communications team for Speaker Corey Johnson.

“I have worked my way up, all because I just went outside and ran into Paul Vallone one day,” she said. “All it takes is to just walk out your door and take a chance. You never know who you’re going to meet.”

Mulligan wanted to meet more staffers and fellow Democrats, so in 2015, she joined the Queens County Young Democrats. A year later, she ran for and won her current position as communications director.

“I think it’s cool how you have access to local elected officials, and you’re able to do so many big-scale projects because we have the support of those elected officials,” she said.

Her message to those who want to get involved in politics, now that more young people want to get engaged, is to get to know local elected officials and representatives. Attend a press conference, write a letter to them or, better yet, join a political club.

“If you’re upset about what’s happening, the best you can do is get involved like President Obama said in his farewell address,” Mulligan said. “To sum it up, all politics is local.”